NKCH is offering voluntary SARS-CoV-2 antibody testing June 1-12.
NKCH and Meritas Health staff and physicians have the opportunity to get a free blood test. This test will help identify possible antibodies staff may have developed in response to a previous infection from SARS-CoV-2, the virus that causes COVID-19. This test is available even if you had few or no symptoms.
The science of antibody testing isn’t perfected yet, but here is what scientists know.
You may have had a SARS-CoV-2 infection in the past
If you don’t have symptoms, there is probably no active infection
If you have symptoms such as fever, shortness of breath or cough, follow NKCH or Meritas Health protocol and contact Employee Health and/or your supervisor
Contact your personal physician for recommendations
You are not necessarily immune from a SARS-CoV-2 infection
*According to CDC Guidelines
It’s less likely you had a SARS-CoV-2 infection in the past
It’s possible you had an infection from the virus, but perhaps your body didn’t form antibodies or is taking longer to develop them
It’s possible you currently have an infection or that you might still become ill
Located in the Prairie View Teleconference Center for:
Monday, June 1 | 6 a.m.–2 p.m.
Tuesday, June 2 | 6 a.m.–10 a.m. and 6 p.m.–10 p.m.
Wednesday, June 3 | 6 a.m. – 2 p.m.
Thursday, June 4 | 6 p.m. – 10 p.m.
Saturday, June 6 | 7 a.m. – 11 a.m.
Monday, June 8 | 11 a.m. – 1:30 p.m.
Tuesday, June 9 | 6 a.m. – 10 a.m.
For Meritas Health employees who work at the following locations. For all Meritas Health staff and physicians, who work on campus or at a location not listed below, please see Hospital Testing Site
Briarcliff Friday, June 5 | 11 a.m.–1:30 p.m.
Gashland Wednesday, June 10 | 10 a.m.–2:30 p.m.
Landmark Thursday, June 11 | 10 a.m –1 p.m.
Richmond Friday, June 12 | Noon–2:30 p.m.
Most importantly, it is unknown if someone with antibodies has immunity to future SARS-CoV-2 infections or how long antibodies will last. The hospital is also participating in a population health study to help determine the degree of positive antibodies to SARS-CoV-2 and what it could mean for future outbreaks. The study will be led by Mary O’Connor, MD, an infection disease specialist at NKCH.
In addition to the voluntary blood test, you are encouraged to participate in a population health study. You are not required to participate in the study in order to receive the blood test. If you choose to participate in the study, you will complete a confidential, short online survey, and you will give permission for your antibody test results to be used in the study. Your test results will be de-identified and not linked to you in the study analysis, and your name will not be used in the study or reporting of study results. The results will help scientists compare positive and negative antibody test results between NKCH and other healthcare facilities and will help scientists determine what behavioral and environmental factors may influence antibody development. The study may help provide an understanding about exposure and immunity in the population.
Your antibody results are confidential and will be available on the myhealth patient portal in seven business days. Results will not determine unit assignments or care for COVID positive patients. PPE procedures should still be followed regardless of your test results.
If you have questions related to the test or study, please contact Becky Smith, MSN, RN, director of Infection Prevention, at ext. 5153 or Becky.Smith@nkch.org.